Are clothing and other linens falling out of your closets? Are you missing household items because they’re buried in messy, disorganized closets? Are your children’s clothing, books and toys spilling from the closets in their bedrooms? Closets are daunting because they pose a huge challenge. Where else are you going to store all that stuff? It’s spring cleaning time, and that means it’s time to tackle your closets.
Here are some tips for cleaning out your closets quickly and efficiently.
1. Set a Schedule
Reader’s Digest suggests that you “divide and conquer” your closets. If you pull everything out, it’s just going to make a huge mess. When you run out of time, you’ll have to push everything back into the closet, thus negating all the hard work you’ve done. Instead, set a schedule. For example, organize shoes one day, pants the next, shirts the next, and on-and-on until the closet is organized.
2. Write it All Down
As you go through your closets, write down everything. This will allow you to think strategically about the things you want and need, and which things can be sold, donated, or tossed. Take some time to organize that list into categories. Remember: getting organized requires organized thinking. Plus, this way, you’ll know if you have two of anything, and can discard or sell the second unnecessary item.
3. Decide Who Gets What and Know When to Toss It
Before you begin reorganizing your closets, decide who gets what you’re donating. Simply creating a “donation” pile isn’t going to magically cart off all those old toys, and shoes, and clothing. Determine which charities will receive your cast-offs before you being casting those items off. It’s also a good idea to check in with friends and family members and see if they have a need for your old belongings. Remember: if items are damaged, ripped, or stained, they should be tossed.
4. Use Money as a Motivator
Closets can be daunting, but it’s worth tackling the project if it can net you some extra income. For example, if you haven’t worn a jewelry piece in longer than six months, why not sell it? Places like San Diego Jewelry Buyers pay top dollar for the jewelry that’s taking up space in your closet. You can also sell clothing, shoes, toys, and more. You can also check out local consignment shops to see what they’re buying.
5. Set Up Zones
Organize your clothing, and other items, by their function. This will help keep your closet clutter-free in the days to come. Put business clothing in one area, and leisure clothing in another area. Keep shoes together, as well as personal items, such as jewelry and purses. By setting up zones, you’re making it easy to find and replace items.
6. Stagger Shoes
Shoes can take up a lot of space, so why not stagger them? The right and left shoe should face opposite directions, in order to save room at the bottom of your closet.
7. For Children’s Closets: Hang Clothes Low
Children will have an easier time keeping their closets organized, if their hangers and things are within arm’s reach. Install a second, lower rod in your child’s closet and hang their everyday cloths from this rod. You can hang formal wear, and other infrequently worn pieces, on the higher rod.
8. For Children’s Closets: Tag Containers
Parents.com recommends storing “off-season or infrequently worn garments in labeled bins on the top shelf.” Toys and other items can also be placed in labeled bins for easy storage and organization.
